Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupé

Mercedes-AMG's C63 S Coupé Is Bringing The V8 Back From The Dead

Once Benz introduced the CLA and shifted “entry-level” duties to its Hungarian-built shoulders, it allowed Stuttgart to treat the C-Class with more respect. They elevated its status, and expectations. And boy has it done so. Once billed as a compact sports sedan, with the BMW 3-Series in its Tristar crosshairs, the C-Class four-door has now pivoted towards the luxury sphere in its latest generation. Consider it the “Baby S-Class,” with a more regal stance and pampering priorities. Hence, it’s little surprise the C-Coupe has taken on the personality of the S-Class two-door brethren. That S-Class Coupé is a vision — a beautiful, dramatic GT that is at once elegant and athletic, boasting Mercedes-Benz’s wealthiest owner (with a higher income bracket than flagship vehicles like the S-Class sedan and G-Wagon). So it’s not a stretch to call this C63 Coupe the “Baby S- Coupé,” which is a compliment of the highest order.

A photo posted by nickstecher (@nickstecher) on Nov 5, 2015 at 5:10pm PST

And many of the aspects to love in the S-Class Coupé are found in the C-Class Coupé, especially the AMG C63 S variant. While the base C-Class Coupé is handsome, the AMG variety gets plumped up in all the right places. Only the doors, roof and trunk stay the same — everything else is engorged. Wider tracks on both axles (64mm wider up front, 66mm rear) require dramatically flared wheel arches; increased cooling needs means bigger vents on the front fascia; aero demands of elevated downforce manifest in a custom front fascia and rear diffuser, side skirts and spoiler. Our car’s matte grey paint job was especially tight, catching the Spanish light fantastically while accenting the sharply stamped character lines that head designer Gorden Wagener has bestowed on his latest creation.

Then there’s the smell. The whiff. Like the S-Class Coupé, the Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupé has the aroma of money. Slip inside and all you’ll smell are freshly printed, crisp bills. The leather is gorgeous, with acres of sleek carbon fiber trim and an authentic IWC Schaffhausen chronograph in the center stack. Plus small touches like a full-color HUD, panoramic sunroof and automated seat belts for easy clamping add to the pampered experience.

Breakout Technology

The AMG Ride Control’s electronically-adjusted shock absorbers mirror the adaptability of the Corvette’s magnetorheological suspension (MRC), or McLaren’s hydraulic loop. Ride dynamics in these cars are simply unparalleled, allowing them to offer highly cushy rides when cruising, or to dial in incredibly stiff response while cornering. A prime convenience in a luxury/performance Grand Tourer.

The C63 Coupe is the only car in its class to offer expensive dynamic engine mounts. Soft mounts make for a quieter, less vibrating, more luxurious ride. Stiff ones are paramount to keeping a car’s dynamics rigid and nimble. Dynamic mounts that can react instantly to road surface and driving demands are the only way to optimize both parameters. Yet another way Mercedes-AMG ensured its “Baby S Class Coupe” offers the pinnacle of both high-performance and luxury for its class.

A photo posted by nickstecher (@nickstecher) on Nov 5, 2015 at 6:26am PST

Hits

When we drove the AMG C63 Coupe’s 4-door sibling last year, the one thing we lamented was the passing of the previous gen’s fire-breathing 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 (may you forever raise hell, you beautiful, evil powerplant). But AMG’s newest 8-cylinder does a hell of a job overcoming dreaded “turbo lag” by placing its twin turbos within the “V” of the pistons, optimizing response time. Precise sizing and timing of gear ratios also ensure a linear power output that best emulates the previous engine’s naturally aspirated performance, which avoided forced induction through massive displacement (sigh). The new 4.0-liter V8 is engineered by the brains over in Affalterbach to drill a furious 510 horses in the “S” tuxedo (476 in the more “civilized” non-S C63 trim). As with all AMG engines, the lump is built by hand and signed by its builder, a testament to the Teutonic pride that goes into its creation.

While $70,000 certainly isn’t cheap ($80k+ for the C63 S), the level of GT you get for the price certainly feels fair for an AMG — it’ll pass the eyeball test with cars considerably more expensive. While the extra 30-odd horses the “S” provides are nice, the “base” C63 Coupe offers plenty of tire-shredding joy.

Misses

Coupes are inherently less convenient than their sedan siblings, especially when they feature a fastback profile. Rear leg- and head-room is OK for children or short drives, but might get claustrophobic for adults on long road trips.